Hi All,
Spending 2 weeks in Japan in September, trying to plan our trip. First time visting, trying to pack as much in as we can. We're currently looking at travel to Kanazawa -> Shirakawago -> Takayama, but not sure if we should keep those stops in. We're also interested in Nikko & some of the other small villages north of Tokyo. It looks like it takes quite a while to go to Nikko and surrounds as it's not directly on the high speed rail line. Would it be worth renting a car and driving?
If you had to pick one or the other (Kanasawa & Takayama OR Nikko and a mountain onsen village) which would you recommend?
Thanks!
Day 1
Tokyo
Flight to Tokyo (Narita)
• Kabuki-za Theatre Show
Day 2
Omotesando
• Breakfast: A Happy Pancake
• Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
Harajuku
• Takishida Street
• Lunch: Commune 2nd (food trucks)
• Mipig Cafe
Shibuya
• Shibuya Crossing
Ometesando
• Minami Aoyama Flower Market Tea House
Akihabara
• Street Kart Tour
• Dinner & Karaoke
Day 3
• Senso-ji Temple
• Kappabshi Stree (kitchen town)
• Sumo: Ryogoku Kokugikan (Asadusa & Sumida River)
Shinjuku
• Bingoya (souvenir shop)
• GoldenGai: Yokocho
Day 4
• Glitch Coffee
• Imperial Palace
• Studio Ghibli Museum
Day 5
Tokyo to Kanazawa
Day 6
Kanazawa to Takayama
• Stop at Shirakawago on the way
Day 7
Takayama
Day 8
Takayama to Kyoto
• Wander around town
• Pontocho Alley (dinner)
Day 9
Kyoto
• Fushimi Inari
• Fushimi Jokkokubune
• Arashyiyama
• Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Togetsukyo Bridge
• Tenryuji Temple
Day 10
• Day trip to Nara
Day 11
Kyoto
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
• Yasaka Pagoda
• Gion
• Nishiki Market
• Shirakawa Lane (walk along the stream)
• Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Philosopher’s Path
• Kinkaku-ji
Day 12
• Day Trip to Hiroshima
• Miyajima
Day 13
Kyoto
• Free Day or day trip to Himeiji Castle?
• Trip to Osaka for dinner in Dotonburi
Day 14
Kyoto to Hakone
Day 15
Hakone to Tokyo
Night in accomm close to the airport
Day 16
Fly out of HND
by SojournerRL